LIM Guan Eng has called into question Putrajaya’s commitment to curb Covid-19, asking whether the government is serious in tackling the issue when cases are still on the rise.

The DAP secretary-general said the prime minister has not initiated any discussion on the coronavirus situation in the country since December.

“Are they serious in tackling this issue, although many say Omicron is not dangerous? If they are serious, impose an emergency, but not for political purposes,” he told reporters at a live-streamed DAP event in Kulai, Johor, this morning.

“I am disappointed. The ministry needs to give an explanation on this issue, and it seems it is not serious… There has been no meeting or discussion (on Covid-19) from December last year.”

Lim was responding to a question on whether the high number of daily cases will hamper his party’s campaigns in the upcoming Johor polls.

Malaysia recorded more than 1,000 coronavirus hospitalisations for a third consecutive day, with 1,150 patients admitted yesterday, reported the Health Ministry.

The nationwide hospital utilisation rate increased from 63.4% to 64.5%, of which 40.2% are Covid-19 patients, according to the CovidNow website.

The ventilator utilisation rate increased from 32.7% to 33%. Intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy also increased from 52% to 52.6%, of which 16.2% are Covid-19 patients.

The hospital admission rate indicates the severity of the virus, while hospital utilisation includes bed occupancy and the number of patients in ICU and on ventilators. – February 7, 2022.